Quantitative SARS-CoV-2 Spike Antibody Response in COVID-19 Patients Using Three Fully Automated Immunoassays and a Surrogate Virus Neutralization Test.

Quantitative SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays against the spike (S) protein are useful for monitoring immune response after infection or vaccination. We compared the results of three chemiluminescent immunoassays (CLIAs) (Abbott, Roche, Siemens) and a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT, GenScript) using 191 sequential samples from 32 COVID-19 patients. All assays detected >90% of samples collected 14 days after symptom onset (Abbott 97.

A comparison of diagnostic performance between two quantitative rapid fecal calprotectin assays in detecting active inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Fecal calprotectin (FC) is widely used for the diagnosis and monitoring disease activity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Quantitative rapid assays can be a reliable alternative to the time-consuming assay. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the diagnostic performance of two quantitative rapid FC assays (Ichroma calprotectin, and Buhlmann Quantum blue).

Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Responses and Seroconversion in COVID-19 Patients Using Twelve Commercial Immunoassays.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody assays have high clinical utility in managing the pandemic. We compared antibody responses and seroconversion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients using different immunoassays.

Methods: We evaluated 12 commercial immunoassays, including three automated chemiluminescent immunoassays (Abbott, Roche, and Siemens), three enzyme immunoassays (Bio-Rad, Euroimmun, and Vircell), five lateral flow immunoassays (Boditech Med, SD biosensor, PCL, Sugentech, and Rapigen), and one surrogate neutralizing antibody assay (GenScript) in sequential samples from 49 COVID-19 patients and 10 seroconversion panels.

Assessment of Rapid Optimized 96-well Tray Flow Cytometric Crossmatch (Halifax-FCXM) with Luminex Single Antigen Test.

Introduction: Flow cytometric crossmatch assay (FCXM) is a sensitive cell-based method for evaluating the presence of donor-specific antibodies (DSA) before transplantation. Recently, 96-well tray FCXM protocol (Halifax FCXM) with improved test efficiency has been introduced. The objective of the present study was to assess the performance of Halifax FCXM by correlating with DSA results based on single antigen bead (SAB) assays (virtual crossmatch, VXM).

Evaluation of a Newly Developed Rapid Automated Fluorescent Lateral Flow Immunoassay to Detect IgG and IgM Antibodies to Chikungunya Virus.

The ichroma Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) IgG/IgM (Boditech Med Inc., Chuncheon, Korea) is a newly developed rapid lateral flow immunoassay for detection of anti- CHIKV-IgG/IgM. This study conducted with thirty-six anti-CHIKV IgG positive sera, 57 anti-CHIKV IgM positive sera and 163 anti-CHIKV IgG/IgM negative sera which were confirmed by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) (Inbios CHIKjj Detect™ IgM Capture ELISA, Inbios CHIKjj Detect™ IgG ELISA (InBios International Inc.

Delayed NK Cell Reconstitution and Reduced NK Activity Increased the Risks of CMV Disease in Allogeneic-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has a significant impact in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We investigated natural killer (NK) cell reconstitution and cytotoxic/cytokine production in controlling CMV infection, especially severe CMV disease in HSCT patients. Fifty-eight patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who received allo-HSCT were included.

Heterochiral Assembly of Amphiphilic Peptides Inside the Mitochondria for Supramolecular Cancer Therapeutics.

Self-assembly of peptides containing both l- and d-isomers often results in nanostructures with enhanced properties compared to their enantiomeric analogues, such as faster kinetics of formation, higher mechanical strength, and enzymatic stability. However, occurrence and consequences of the heterochiral assembly in the cellular microenvironment are unknown. In this study, we monitored heterochiral assembly of amphiphilic peptides inside the cell, specifically mitochondria of cancer cells, resulting in nanostructures with refined morphological and biological properties owing to the superior interaction between the backbones of opposite chirality.

Synthesis and Feasibility Evaluation of a new Trastuzumab Conjugate Integrated with Paclitaxel and Zr for Theranostic Application Against HER2-Expressing Breast Cancers.

The preparation and   evaluation of a theranostic conjugate composed of trastuzumab, paclitaxel (PTX), and deferoxamine (DFO)-chelated Zr have been reported. These comounds have potential applications against HER2 receptor positive breast cancers. We conjugated DFO and PTX to trastuzumab by exploiting simple conjugation chemistry.

Targeted tumor detection: guidelines for developing biotinylated diagnostics.

The challenge in achieving precision medicine relies on how to advance and/or enhance new as well as old therapeutic strategies. Here, we highlight the significant role hydrophilicity of biotinylated fluorescent probe's plays on their cellular uptake behaviour.

Indomethacin-guided cancer selective prodrug conjugate activated by histone deacetylase and tumour-associated protease.

An indomethacin-guided drug delivery conjugate (IGDDC) has been designed by utilizing cancer associated elevated HDAC and CTSL activities as consecutive demasking ventures for drug activation. IGDDC exhibited preferential uptake by COX-2 positive cells both in vitro and ex vivo highlighting indomethacin's role in designing new cancer-specific drug delivery frameworks.

BODIPY/Nile-Red-Based Efficient FRET Pair: Selective Assay of Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane Fluidity.

We synthesized a boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY)/Nile Red hybrid probe capable of selectively recognizing fluidity changes in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane due to its preferential localization to the ER and strong energy transfer from BODIPY to the Nile Red moiety, emitting only in nonaqueous environments. ER membrane fluidity in HepG2 cells was markedly reduced by a cell model of metabolic syndrome.

An intramolecular crossed-benzoin reaction based KCN fluorescent probe in aqueous and biological environments.

A turn-on fluorescent probe was designed for selective cyanide anion sensing in aqueous and biological environments. The probe underwent an intramolecular crossed-benzoin reaction in the presence of KCN to expel the fluorophore resorufin. This probe was sensitive to KCN concentrations as low as 4 nM in aqueous media.

Chemical sensing of neurotransmitters.

In the past few decades, the development of chemosensors for neurotransmitters has emerged as a research area of significant importance, which attracted a tremendous amount of attention due to its high sensitivity and rapid response. This current review focuses on various neurotransmitter detection based on fluorescent or colorimetric spectrophotometry published for the last 12 years, covering biogenic amines (dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, histamine and acetylcholine), amino acids (glutamate, aspartate, GABA, glycine and tyrosine), and adenosine.

Cu(2+)-responsive bimodal (optical/MRI) contrast agent for cellular imaging.

A water-soluble T1 magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent (1) has been synthesized. The bimodal contrast agent 1 responds to the Cu(2+) ion in living cells by enhancing the MRI modality signal whereas the optical signal gradually drops. This dual modality probe response depends on the cellular free copper ions in RAW 264.

Failed anterior lumbar interbody fusion due to incomplete foraminal decompression.

Background: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) has gained widespread popularity for spinal disorders requiring fusion. The purpose of this study was to analyze ALIF failures.

Methods: The medical records of 223 patients treated with ALIF between January 2007 and June 2008 were retrospectively reviewed.

Proton-conductive nanochannel membrane for fuel-cell applications.

Novel design of proton conductive membrane for direct methanol fuel cells is based on proton conductivity of nanochannels, which is acquired due to the electric double layer overlap. Proton conductivity and methanol permeability of an array of nanochannels were studied. Anodic aluminum oxide with pore diameter of 20 nm was used as nanochannel matrix.

Rapid cell-deformability sensing system based on slit-flow laser diffractometry with decreasing pressure differential.

A slit-flow apparatus with a laser-diffraction method has been developed with significant advances in ektacytometry design, operation and data analysis. In the slit-flow ektacytometry, the deformation of red blood cells subjected to continuously decreasing shear stress in slit-flow can be quickly measured with adopting a laser-diffraction technique. Both the laser-diffraction image and pressure were measured with respect to time, which enable to determine the elongation index (EI) and the shear stress.